We at the Gettysburg Film Commission invite the community to experience our second year of Cinema Under the Stars on Seminary Ridge on the Schmucker House lawn! Our free Outdoor Summer Program couldn’t happen without our sponsors. Without them, we could not offer this amazing community event.
Cinema Under the Stars was created to bring iconic, thought provoking, classic films to the community. The films are shown on a 30-foot-wide screen with a professional cinema package and sound system to give the audience a true cinematic experience.
Audiences can bring lawn chairs/ blankets, BYOB, enjoy live music and visit our food trucks an hour before the movie begins at sunset. Our co-host Jim Udden, film historian and professor at the Gettysburg College, will give a history on the studio system, actors, director, box-office and societal impact of the film during that specific period before each screening.
The most important need that this addresses is gathering as neighbors, friends, a date with a potential new love or your loved one of many years, and getting to know new people. It also brings the beauty of the arts through music of our local talent and brings the quality of classic film to our community as we build relationships with our residents, business owners and our county at large as we gather on “The Ridge.’
Last years attendee Adeline, age 8, was asked, “What did you like most while watching the classic films?” She said, “I liked going to Cinema Under the Stars because I get to spend time with my family, and I like watching movies that were made a long time ago. I think that they are more entertaining than newer movies. In the classic movies, they have things that aren’t in the new movies. There are no cell phones in the classic movies: I like the phones in the boxes on the side of the road. The movie nights make me feel happy because I get to watch old things, especially in black and white, I get to wonder what the colors were.”
Nothing more to add to this precious girl’s quote…our best attendee last year…only missed one cinema night!
This year begins our first ‘Youth Program Popcorn Fundraiser.’ There will be one youth program represented from our county at each screening. They will be our volunteer group who will be serving our free popcorn to our guest. An information table will be set up to answer any questions you may have of their program and the impact they have in our community. As an attendee, we ask that you consider donating back to our youth; a donation bucket will be at their table. The youth are the future, lets support them…give generously!
Here is our schedule of events…visit our website gettysburgfilmcommission.org and click on events; follow us on Facebook and Instagram for all updates. Featured on social media will be our advertising of our sponsors, music, film and youth programs that we will be spotlighting as we approach their event date!
Every event is rain or shine. Inclement weather will not cancel this event. Valentine Hall at the Seminary will be our venue site during inclement weather only. Live music starts an hour before sunset in the theater of Valentine Hall. The Youth Program Popcorn Fundraiser will be in the foyer and our food trucks will be parked outside of the venue for your convenience.
Sat. June 21, 2025: Screening: 12 Angry Men; Music: Nick Mich; Food Trucks: C.J’s Takeout & Late Nite Bites and Bantam; Youth Program Popcorn Fundraiser: Adams County Children’s Advocacy Center.
Sat. July 19, 2025: Screening: Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid; Music: Faith Noel; Food Trucks: Latino Fusion Style and Bantam; Youth Program Popcorn Fundraiser: Hoffman Homes for Youth.
Sat. August 16, 2025: SCREENING: To Kill a Mockingbird; Music: Bern n’ Bridge; Food Trucks: Euro Bites and Bantam; Youth Program Popcorn Fundraiser: St. Francis Xavier School.
Join us on ‘The Ridge’ for Cinema Under the Stars 2025. Become a community sponsor…there is still room for you to impact our community.
Contact Kris Webb for sponsorship opportunities for Cinema Under the Stars 2025 at kristin@gettysburgfilmcommission.org or call 717-357-9015.
Kris Webb is co-founder/film commissioner of Gettysburg Film Commission and administrator for Cinema Under the Stars, GFC’s community outreach event. Visit us at gettysburgfilmcommission.org.
